In a recent showing of its impact on the national medical scene, UW Medicine had an unprecedented three physicians elected to leadership roles in the American College of Surgeons (ACS). The ACS is a scientific and educational association of surgeons founded in 1913 to improve the quality of care for the surgical patient by setting high standards for surgical education and practice.
Dr. Ronald Maier, chief of trauma and burn surgery and chief of surgery at Harborview was named ACS president-elect. He will serve as president-elect in 2018, and then take on the presidency for a year in 2019. Maier’s election marks the second time in five years that the ACS has turned to UW Medicine for its highest leadership position. Dr. Carlos Pellegrini, UW Medicine’s chief medical officer, served as president of the ACS in 2013-2014.
At the same time, Dr. Eileen Bulger, chief of trauma at Harborview was elected chair of the ACS Committee on Trauma, a role that recognizes her groundbreaking work at Harborview, as well as the standing of Harborview’s Level 1 trauma center as one of the premier centers in the US. The ACS Committee on Trauma, comprised of 83 members, oversees a field force of more than 3,500 fellows working to develop and implement meaningful programs for trauma care in local, regional, national, and international arenas.
Finally, in recognition of his outstanding leadership in his field, Dr. Douglas Wood, Henry N. Harkins Professor and chair, UW Department of Surgery, was elected to the ACS Board of Regents, where he will serve a three-year term. The 24-member Board of Regents formulates policy and directs the affairs of the ACS.
“[With our three appointments, UW Medicine] is in a good position to influence the policy and delivery of surgical care, and to promote our faculty and residents in progressive leadership positions,” said Wood.
